Front End Developer

Description

HAVAS LYNX is a global communications group, formed from Creative Lynx and Havas 4D, leading digital agencies in Europe and the USA respectively. With 250 employees and supported by the wider HAVAS network, we deliver truly global campaigns based on robust local insight. As a group we have been responsible for a series of industry firsts in social media, closed-loop marketing and mobile. We actively partner with Apple, Microsoft, Facebook, Stanford Persuasive Tech Lab and practice fusion and these partnerships facilitate our ability to innovate on behalf of our clients across the healthcare, education and culture sectors. Blending this innovation with sector insight and design pedigree, our team of over 140 professionals, based in the heart of Manchester city centre comprise our European head office, from which we work closely with colleagues in London and New York.

We are proud winners of prestigious awards for effectiveness and innovation, and as part of our continued growth, we now have an opportunity for an experienced Front-end Developer to join our busy and expanding digital team. This is a technically demanding role and we are seeking someone with strong front-end capabilities, who also has an awareness and ideally experience of software engineer processes. Ideally you’ll have gained experience from a creative agency and you’ll be an experienced programmer who is fluent in HTML, JavaScript and jQuery as well as all aspects of SEO. You’ll have a strong portfolio of work which demonstrates your skills in these areas and which shows us your potential.

Specific skills sought:

HTML – We are seeking applications from candidates will be able to hand craft HTML, understanding HTML5 elements and Semantic mark-up.CSS – Candidates should have experience in using Sass or Less and will be able to hand craft code, rather than rely on libraries. You should have a strong understanding of CSS specificity, CSS Media Queries and Responsive Web Design and be able to explain how CSS3 transitions work with Hardware acceleration. An appreciation of retina images and techniques and how these are used to deliver high DPI images would also be desirable.

JavaScript – We are looking for Developers who are able to create sites following common JavaScript Design patterns. An ability to create modular and maintainable code and experience in working with JavaScript MV* Frameworks is desired. An understanding of Context and Closures, JavaScript Events, Delegated Events and jQuery Defereds would put you in good stead for this position, as would a knowledge and commercial experience in Unit Testing. In addition, working with and understanding the benefits of JavaScript templating libraries such as Underscore or Handlebars would be beneficial.

Server Side – We work in a collaborative environment and as such, you will gain exposure to our Server Side Engineering team. Therefore, a knowledge of key server-side web development concepts would be ideal, such as HTTP and XHR requests alongside experience of working with Server Side technologies and frameworks such as MVC, Ruby on Rails, .Net and Node.js.

On top of the above mentioned skills, we are also keen to hear from applicants who have used Canvas and SVG, HTML Ployfills and Shims as well as Chrome Developer Tools. An understanding of the build process (ideally grunt, Ant or Rake) and programming design principles such as Soc and SRP are also important. Experience of testing; including cross-browser, cross-platform and cross-device for compatibility would be useful, alongside an awareness of automated testing, in particular, using Selenium and testing for compliance to accessibility standards.

Like us, you’ll be fanatical about developing great user experiences (both online and offline) and be able to pick up new technology with a real thirst for learning. We’re looking for a creative thinker - a problem solver, someone who wants to work with like-minded professionals in a supportive environment. You’ll work on exciting projects for national and international clients, producing an array of digital outputs that stand out amongst the crowd.

Based in the heart Manchester City Centre, we enjoy a busy, sociable team environment. Personality is key, and we’re looking for a team player with excellent initiative, issues resolution and problem solving skills, who remains calm under pressure and who has bags of energy. It is really important that you have your own opinion and ideas and the confidence to share them.

Interested applicants should apply to Sophie Jackson via sophie.jackson@havasww.com sending a copy of your CV, a covering letter and most importantly, links to your work. If in the first instance you would prefer to have an informal conversation, call Sophie on 0161 200 6932.